Mouth Breathing

What is Mouth Breathing?

Mouths are designed for eating, chewing, drinking, and communication whereas the nose is meant for breathing. When we can’t get enough air through the nose, the mouth begins to take over. This in turn forces us to breathe through the mouth out of necessity and if not corrected can be a life-long habit that can cause health problems. Mouth breathing and having an open mouth are identified as basically the same thing and both equally detrimental to long term health.

Mouth breathing is when we breathe through our mouth instead of our nose. It can be caused by a number of conditions including allergies, food sensitivities and respiratory problems. Anything that makes it difficult or impossible to breathe through the nose will cause mouth breathing, and this can become a habit if it’s not addressed.

What causes mouth breathing?

Specific causes of mouth breathing can include:

Each of these issues can make it difficult or impossible for a person to breathe through their nose, and when this happens, their only option is to breathe through their mouth. If this isn’t corrected, it can become a habit that’s set for life.

What are the effects of mouth breathing?

Mouth breathing can cause a range of symptoms that can affect all parts of our body from our teeth to our digestive system. Some of these symptoms include:

How can Myofunctional Therapy Help?

For someone who habitually breathes through their mouth, changing to nasal breathing isn’t that easy. The body no longer knows how to breathe normally, so the muscles surrounding the face and mouth have adapted and learned to work incorrectly. Working with an orofacial myofunctional therapist can help to correct those habits and train you to breathe through your nose. The changes to your health and quality of life can be astounding.